Alright everybody, we made it! The final chapter of Book One! I just want to say a quick thank you to anyone that has read this just once, you clicked on my story and I appreciate it all the same.
To those that have stuck by it and followed along throughout each chapter so far, thank you so much! I can't express how much it means to me. This started out from my love for the books, and I thought it would be cool to make a continuation with an OC main character, who knew I would make twenty chapters of it with over two hundred thousand words, and plan on making far more parts to the story! Thank you all who have followed along, you fuel this story.
To those that are reading this long after it has come out, thank you too! I hope you enjoy the rest.
Now then, let's respond to some reviews.
Shadowhunter2077:"Ok I really loved this chapter the final fight was amazing, and Ouranos was very confident that he could win only to have his ass kicked by Matt and then Zeus, and also is incredible that Matt menaged to do some damage on the avatar of Typhon that's going to put him in the spotlight of the divine world not only in the greek/roman pantheon but all the others, because to me the damage that Matt infliceted on Typhon (85%) no matter how small was, is a feat that most gods of the entire world cannot perform. (I assuming that Zeus is a big deal in the others pantheons, and that he needed to use his full power to defeat somone is a big feat and that Typhon (full power) still had the upper hand)"
Response: Thanks for the review. And yeah, Matt will be in the spotlight, glad you enjoyed the final battle. Stay tuned for more, I think you'll like what I have planned.
darkwalker11: "Wow great chapter the fight scenes just keep getting better and better."
Response: Thanks. I focus on the detail and try to make them as good as possible, glad you like them.
NiHaR OP: "Dude Sera is a adorable pancake that must be protected at all costs. Malachi lowkey seems cool. Grandpa Zeus really whipped some of that lightning up. Typhon kinda seemed weak tho. Also how tf if hercules couldnt withstand typhon's punch then his son did? Please xplain that :D. Ouranos Zeus scene was cool as hell. All things considered this was the best chapter yet. Cant wait for book 2 and the next chap."
Response: Thanks man. Yeah, Sera is pretty cute I must say, Malachi's lucky. Sorry you felt Typhon was weak, he was at eighty five percent power, made the twin deities run, defeated Hera, fought Zeus and tanked his lightning bolts for a few minutes, and destroyed a bunch of Islands, I thought I made him pretty strong but it's cool. And Hercules was pessimistic and unsure about blocking Typhon's punch, but he was wrong, simple as that, he boosted Matt so he was able to block the punch and even slightly wound Typhon. So basically, he and Matt worked together in a way. I still have plans for Typhon, but I hope that clears it up a little, and glad you liked the chapter.
Jay: "Hi, Im the Tiny Matt guest in case you're wondering. Not gonna lie, I'm a actually curious about who's Talon's mother is.
Also wonder what the Olympians are going to do with Talon and Malachi. They seem way too potentially powerful to simply let walk free. Nickanderos and Ouranus are not exactly divine parents to simply brush off."
Response: Yeah that will be done in this chapter, the Olympians will decide what to do with them. You are right, Nikandreos and Ouranos are not liked by the gods and are powerful, so we'll just see. Thanks for reviewing.
thesuperone342: "Fucking god tier bro. Best chapter so far. All the fights and crazy battles and I'm just writing about Tantalus being a bitch lmao. Also, damn Matt is so fucking strong right now lol. I think he's the same strength as Zane now, probably stronger with that boost he had against Typhon. I'll have to really pull something out to get Zane back on track. Which Titan sounds better, Krios or Koios?
P.S. Name the spear Thymos, which means Anger in Greek. I don't know if it's as cool as Keravnos, but it's the best I could come up with."
Response: Thanks man, and I love Tantalus getting shit on, you know that lol. Yeah, you think Matt is strong now, wait until Book Two. Either way, go with Koios on the titan. You'll see what the weapon's name will be in this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters (except the OC's) Percy Jackson & The Olympians, Heroes Of Olympus, or Trials Of Apollo. All of that belongs to Rick Riordan.
Now then, on with the twentieth chapter, the last of the first book.
20. I Finally Watch The Sunset
When we got back to camp, the welcome party was amazing.
I know, you're probably thinking, Woah Matt, you're skipping like...the whole boat ride back home!
Yeah I know, but to be honest, after Talon, Sera, and Malachi caught up, we all fell asleep or just relaxed. This quest had been tiring on all of us, and a few hours of silence and rest was just what we needed. Percy had calmed the waters and we moved at a good enough speed to get home before sunset, but at the same time slow enough to where we could rest comfortably.
I will go over what happened at the harbor though.
We had docked where Talon told us to hijack one of the Island's boats, the place nearly deserted, due to most fishing being done, or out at sea still at it. When we got off and secured the boat, never to see it again, we got five steps from it, and Hera stopped us.
"Wait. These two must come with me." She pointed at Talon and Malachi.
Sera immediately got defensive, "W-wait a second, why?"
"That is not your concern, child."
I stepped forward, "Just tell us what's going on. Why do you need them and not us?"
Sera had an offended look on her face, her tone now very unlike her, "Listen Hera, if it involves Kai, it involves me. Now what's going on?" Woah, Sera could get serious when she wanted to, remind me not to get on her bad side.
Hera sighed, "Fine. I am simply transporting them to Olympus to decide their fate."
We all said loudly, "THEIR FATE?!"
Hera winced in annoyance, "Yes, their fate. I do not intend to kill them-"
"Sure about that?" Annabeth said.
Hera ignored her, "-But we must decide where they will go. Children of Nikandreos and Ouranos are very powerful, and cannot be simply let loose."
She was...kind of right, in a way. I mean from the gods perspective, Malachi could just as easily be influenced by Ouranos again, and Talon...well, they thought they killed his father long ago.
We all stood there uneasily, Hera wasn't up for discussion, but she said nothing, I guess to make us think we had a choice.
Finally Talon said, "Okay."
We all widened our eyes at him.
"What?" I said.
"I'll go. I knew that I would see her if I came to the Island, and the gods would have to decide on what to do with me. I knew what I was signing up for...now I'll face it." He stepped toward her.
I grabbed his shoulder, "Talon, your father...th-they'll-"
"Don't worry about me, kid. You need to get back to Camp." He removed my hand and walked over, stopping next to Hera.
Malachi did the same after kissing Sera's forehead, "I will go too. I deserve judgement, and whatever happens...I accept."
"Kai, no!" Sera cried, Annabeth and Harper having to hold her back from running to him.
He smiled sadly at her, "I love you."
She looked like she was going to cry, she was a sensitive person, I would have to remember that.
"Take care of him, Talon." She told the assassin.
He nodded, "Always, Princess."
"Goodbye, demigods." Hera said, "You have done well." Then with a brilliant flash of white light, we were all sucked forward and engulfed, spinning at a million miles per hour, and then as quickly as it came, it stopped, and we were thrown to a soft surface of grass.
We groaned and pushed up. What I saw above the green blades of grass was a hill, and beyond that hill, the very top of a familiar Victorian looking house, despite only staying for a few days, I would recognize it anywhere.
A smile formed on my face, "We're back!"
We had finally returned to Camp Half-Blood.
Percy, Annabeth, and Harper lit up instantly and got up, running towards the top of the hill to greet everyone. Sera looked confused, so I helped her up and led her after them, some grass stuck to her blue short dress, but she didn't seem to care at the moment.
When we emerged on the hill, the sight warmed my chest. Nearly the entire Camp had grouped together to welcome us back. I wasn't sure if they knew we were coming, or they just spotted the others and ran to them. Either way, there were hugs all around, old friends of Percy and Annabeth's were there. A short Latino guy named Leo Valdez was bro hugging Percy, and a native American looking girl named Piper McLean was clinging to Annabeth like a sister. Harper seemed to be looking for someone amongst the crowd.
Sera and I walked down the hill, I got some claps on my shoulder and words of praise from several campers, I guessed Chiron had announced stuff from what we told him in the Iris message. Sera got some strange looks, probably due to her white hair. But we trudged through, I got introduced to Piper, who seemed like a nice girl, but I was looking for Chiron.
My search was interrupted by a loud boyish voice, "MATT!"
I turned to see Aiden running towards me. I couldn't help but smile, he looked like he had gotten a little stronger over the last couple of weeks. His arms seemed a little more defined, his sword looked more used, his hair was a little longer, becoming unkempt and punkish in the front. His face was bright with a smile, I was surprised to feel his arms around me in a hug. Jeez, the kid missed me.
He pulled away, his smile still wide, "You're back! You gotta tell me all about it!"
Before I could respond, another voice shouted, "Aiden!"
Harper came up from nowhere and bear hugged her half-brother. His face turned a little white from the force of the hug, but he grinned and returned it all the same.
"Hey, sis. It's great to see you again!"
She ruffled his hair, "You too. I heard you took down a Laestrygonian while we were gone!"
"Yeah, you've been practicing with that sword it seems." I said.
He blushed, "Well, you know...you told me to keep an eye on things...I didn't wanna let you down."
"You didn't. Great job, man."
He smiled, then his eyes went wide, "OH! Your new cabin! It's finished! I've gotta show you-"
"One moment my boy." It was Chiron, he parted the crowd, his hooves clopping until standing firmly in front of me, his face ruggedly handsome and wise, just like always.
"It is good to see you, Matt. I am glad the quest was successful."
"Thanks. It's good to see you too, Chiron."
He looked at Sera, an eyebrow raised, "And who is this?"
I turned, she was timidly dodging the crowd, blushing at the guys glancing at her. I got her attention and motioned for her to come over, she did.
"Chiron, this is Seraphina Griffith, Daughter of Khione. She's the reason Malachi is back to normal."
He shook her soft hand, "Ah, well it is nice to meet you."
"L-likewise, sir." She said, her head a little low. Wow, she was shy.
I leaned towards the old centaur, "She's been through a lot. Malachi and Talon are at Olympus right now, the gods are deciding on what to do with them."
His face turned serious, "I understand."
"Could you..."
"Of course. Come along, Seraphina, would you like a refreshment?"
"U-um, s-sure." She followed Chiron to the Big House. I hated to push her off like that, but right now she needed to be alone. Where she was gonna go and what she was gonna do were up for debate as well.
I turned back to Harper and Aiden, who were laughing and talking.
"So...what's this I hear about a Hercules cabin?"
Aiden lit up, "Oh, it's awesome, Matt! You're gonna love it!"
"Damn right he's gonna love it. That thing took days to build." Said a familiar voice. I looked behind Aiden and saw Nico and Will walking up to us.
"Hey guys. Did you help build?" I asked.
Will nodded, "Oh yeah. Turns out Nico here is very good with tools." He slyly grinned at the Son of Hades.
Nico huffed, "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Valdez did most of the work."
"Leo Valdez?" I asked. I had heard about him from Percy.
"Yeah. I gotta admit, that kid can really make some good stuff. The cabin looks badass." Nico said.
I was excited. My own cabin? It was like a birthday present I didn't know I wanted so bad.
Aiden grabbed my arm and led me in it's direction, "Come on! I'll show you!"
We walked past some of the other cabins, all the way up to where the Big Three's sat. On one side was Zeus and Hera, on the other was Poseidon and...wait...
Was that mine?
Somehow, they had moved the cabin next to Poseidon over to make room for my new one. My jaw dropped, it looked so awesome. It had dark birch wood on the exterior, two torches of orange flame next to the entrance, and above the doorway, sat a giant mounted lion head made of bronze, in the middle of a roar. The roof was covered in Lion fur, Bear fur, and all kinds of other predator hides, weapons of battle littered the walls and pillars, it looked so badass, I couldn't believe they had done this for me.
Standing in front of it was who I guessed to be Leo Valdez. He was short, maybe five foot six, and had brown skin, slightly curly black hair and a playful smile. He wore a white grease stained t-shirt and cargo shorts, around his waist sat a tool belt with any kind of device you could imagine. Yep, he was a son of Hephaestus alright.
I was still in awe at the epic design of the exterior, and barely noticed him walking up to me.
"So you're Matt, right?" He asked.
"Yeah. T-this is...incredible. Thank you, man."
"Ah it was nothing. I was getting bored anyway, and I love building cabins for the Camp. Plus, you seem cool, especially based on what Aiden told us."
The Son of Nemesis scratched his neck nervously and blushed a little. Huh, he was acting weird, maybe from all the attention.
"I-I can't believe it. I actually get to stay in this?" I said, in complete shock.
Leo laughed, "Yeah man, all yours. You wanna see the interior?"
I nodded mindlessly, taken aback by all of it.
We walked inside, and I was greeted with the manliest thing I could lay eyes upon. Bear rugs on the floor, a statue of the Nemean Lion in the corner, weapons hanging from the wall, a huge bed tightly hugging the right side of the room, a fireplace in the distance, and most strikingly...a life sized statue of my father front and center. He was seven feet something here, made of stone and looking muscular, intimidating, and...accurate. He had the beard and the armor, it was like Leo had met him, or seen him in person, which could've been true.
"Don't know how you feel about your dad. I just...thought it would look cool. If you want it down, I can-"
"No." I interrupted, "No, it's...it's perfect. All of it, is perfect." I turned to them, "Thank you guys, I...don't know what to say, this is absolutely amazing."
Leo nodded, Aiden beamed, Nico smirked and Will clapped my shoulder. This was turning out to be an awesome ending to the quest.
After they left, I took some time to admire the cabin, and just simply talk to some people. I met up with Tori and Cole, who were paired with Harper and I during Capture The Flag. They were doing alright, and loved hearing about my quest. I greeted some other people, all of them congratulating me and stuff, it was awesome. Evening was clear in the sky, the sun not setting for a little while. My heart was racing slightly, thinking about what Harper said, and how we would become a thing at sunset. I was so nervous, but stoked. Thinking of what to say, going over scenarios of what might happen, how her lips would feel in a real kiss, how her body would feel, her smooth hair, her incredible scent...
I shook my head, don't get carried away, you don't even know where she's at.
Where was she? I looked around, but she had vanished. Probably in her cabin or taking care of something. It was no big deal, we were going to meet at the beach anyway.
After walking around Camp for several minutes, talking and what not, I decided to go back to my awesome new cabin before dinner in the pavilion. To be honest, I actually never got to eat there when I first came. Everything was so hectic and this quest was so important I never got to experience it. Yet another thing to look forward to.
I chuckled at the Lion head over the entrance, it looked so cool. Walking into my cabin, I felt at home, a true home that I never thought in a million years I would be in. Not one month ago, I was a loner demigod in the city, visiting my sick mother and trying to survive. Now I had finished a quest successfully, helped defeat Ouranos, saved lives, and made friends. It was a dream come true.
I noticed something in the corner of my eye laying on the bed. I walked over and spotted a club just like my father's laying on the sheets. It was the size of a sword, about four feet long, it was thick, coated in a dark colored ancient wood and celestial bronze, a leather handle on the grip, spikes jutted near the end, sharp and dangerous.
I beamed at it, and picked it up. It felt made for me, it was so comfortable in my hand. I could see myself becoming quite skilled with this thing. I was about to swing it when I noticed a note on the comforter next to where it had been.
I picked it up with my other hand. Cursing dyslexia, I looked at it for a few seconds, finally deciphering what it said.
Hello, Matthias.
I bet you weren't expecting your new weapon so fast. I immediately told Hephaestus and he created it in no time. But don't let that fool you, this weapon is far, far more powerful than that spear of yours. It is a weapon forged by Hephaestus himself, and very, very special. He decided to use a material unlike any other.
Look at the wood, it is odd, no?
Well that is because it was crafted from the Adam Tree, the first tree created by Gaea, the Tree of The Gods, it stands on Olympus to this day. I think you will find it even more durable than Celestial Bronze. It has special properties as well, grandson, use them wisely. To test it out, put it against your arm when injured, or think of me and the storm clouds above, you will be surprised at the results. It's name is Viribus, meaning "Strength" an appropriate title, would you agree?
It pains me to say that I am busy, and may not see you for a while. But consider that a gift from me, and every time you imagine lightning...I will be behind every bolt.
Sincerely, your grandfather, Zeus.
P.S. I understand you hate lugging around your weapons everywhere. Well, we added a fix to that, try pressing the bottom of the handle.
I pressed the bottom of it, and to my delight, it transformed into a necklace similar to my old one, only now instead of a shark tooth, it had a tiny metal lion head at the end.
I smiled so wide I felt my face hurt. I gave the lion head a squeeze and Viribus emerged into my hand again. Made from the Tree of The Gods, that was awesome. But what did he mean by thinking of him and the storm clouds?
A crazy idea popped into my head. There was no way it could...oh if it could, that would blow my mind.
I went outside and gripped Viribus tightly, my eyes closed, imagining a lightning bolt, gray clouds producing it, the face of Zeus above them, the brilliant blue arc of light shooting at the ground.
After a few seconds, I felt Viribus get a little hot in my hand, a few of the clouds above turning gray. I let my instincts take over, and I held it up to the sky. In an instant, a lightning bolt connected with the tip of Viribus, the club surrounded by electricity, crackling with energy. I smiled and quickly thrust Viribus in the distance towards the ground, the lightning left my weapon and shot at where I aimed, the blue spark connecting with the ground and creating a small explosion, a crater forming afterwards.
I pumped my fist in the air, admiring Viribus like it was the best thing ever, which it kinda was. This thing allowed me to manipulate lightning! I guess being the grandson of Zeus, I had some influence over storms. I was so thrilled, yet another thing to add in my arsenal.
I then remembered the other thing he had said. Something about pressing it to my arm when injured. But I wasn't injured, I was tired. It took a lot to injure me, and I really wanted to test this thing out. I thought desperately of a way to do so, with no avail.
After a few seconds of disappointment, I noticed Percy and Annabeth walking towards me. An imaginary light bulb went off in my head, I knew how I could test it out.
"Percy!" I called.
They walked over, "Hey man, we were just about to check out your new cabin." They noticed Viribus, "Is that a club?"
I hefted it, "Yeah, pretty sweet right? It's name is Viribus and it's got some cool abilities, I wanna test them out. I know this is gonna sound nuts, but Percy...I need you to cut me with Riptide."
He looked like I had just told him blue was the worst color, "What?! You want me to hurt you? Why?"
"I wanna test out one of it's features. This wood is made from the god tree, and I need you to swipe me on the arm as hard as you can with Riptide!"
"No!"
"Just do it man!"
"Matt, don't be crazy!" Annabeth shouted.
I took matters into my own hands. I reached in Percy's pocket and quickly pulled out the ballpoint pen, by the time they noticed I had already uncapped it into a celestial bronze sword. I tossed it to Percy and he caught it.
"DO IT!" I yelled.
He winced and brought it above his head, with his full striking power, he brought down Riptide on my arm with great speed and force, the blow sending a sting up my arm, I looked at it and yep, there was a big gash about six inches long, blood oozing from it.
Percy looked horrified, "Oh gods! I-I'm sorry!"
"Percy!" Annabeth said loudly.
"Guys! Calm down...and watch." I slowly brought Viribus to hover over my arm, then after a second, pressed the wooden part to the cut. I began to feel better instantly, all pain leaving my body within seconds. The blood seeped back inside, the cut closed, and it didn't even leave a scar. It was like Percy had never struck me.
I looked at my arm, then at Viribus like it was a piece of Heavenly Diamond. This club was amazing. I loved it now, and knew I would train with it everyday. I mean damn, it just gave me two new abilities, Lightning manipulation and regeneration.
They both had their eyes wide. "That's...incredible..." Annabeth said.
"Dude, your new weapon is awesome!" Percy said in awe.
I nodded, "I know. A gift from Zeus, made by Hephaestus himself!"
They congratulated me and looked at my cabin for a bit. We chattered about the design and Viribus, the Adam Tree and other things. Finally after a few minutes, I pressed the bottom of Viribus and if transformed into the necklace. I put it on and looked at Percy and Annabeth, smiling to myself.
Percy noticed, "What is it?"
"Nothing. I'm just...really glad you guys are my friends."
They were a little taken back.
I continued, "This quest would have never been successful without you guys. I appreciate you going with me, even though there was a risk for your peace. You guys helped me more than I can ever repay, so...Thank you, so much."
They smiled, pulling me into a group hug.
"It's what friends are for." Percy said.
"And we're always here for you." Annabeth added.
"Thanks. You guys will still be senior counselors, right?"
They pulled away from me, "Of course. Whos' gonna keep these campers in line if we don't?" Percy said.
Annabeth raised an eyebrow, "I will."
Percy nodded, "Yeah she will, I'll probably just goof off."
I laughed, and soon, they joined in, the joyous sound echoing throughout camp.
After Percy and Annabeth left, I admired my cabin a little more for a few minutes, when it was finally time for dinner in the pavilion.
To say it exceeded my expectations, would be correct.
There were so many tables all lined up, belonging to a different god or goddess, all kinds of kids sat in different places, there were plates in front of everyone, fancy metal cups too, but they were all empty, why?
Chiron showed me to my table, Sera was with him, sitting next to him at his own private area, her face unreadable. I wondered what they talked about.
I sat down, alone, but I didn't care. Soon figuring out that whatever food or drink you wanted to appear, would. I imagined a juicy sirloin on my plate, with baked potato and a Dr. Pepper in the cup, to my delight, all appeared near instantaneously. I was about to cut into the medium cooked piece of perfect meat, when I noticed everyone getting up and walking to the fire.
I didn't understand at first, but then it hit me, they were paying respect to the gods, to their parents.
An act I would have considered stupid not long ago, but now...I felt a little different.
I got up and stepped in the line, by the time I made it to the fire, I cut a piece of my steak and dropped it in.
Thank you for the help father. I hope we meet in person...one day.
The fire burned the steak with an amazing smell, nearly making me regret tossing it in.
Either way, I returned to my new table, eating the rest of the steak and guzzling soda. It all tasted so good, I was in heaven right now. I looked around to see Percy at the Poseidon table with a...cyclops. Ah, that must be Tyson. I saw Annabeth with her siblings at the Athena table, I saw Harper, Aiden, and two other dark haired kids at the Nemesis table. When Harper noticed me looking, she smiled, motioning her head to the direction of the beach. I felt my face get hot and turned away. More scenarios popped up in my mind, and I got nervous again dammit.
After eating every bit of food, and even downing seconds, I felt stuffed, and looked in the distance to see the position of the sun. It...wasn't quite time yet, a little longer. I decided to go the training arena to kill some time, maybe mess around with Viribus for a minute, get a feel of the swing. I was making my way towards the circular building when I noticed a figure standing by the lake off in the distance. It couldn't be...
I got closer and closer, finally thirty feet from him, his medium length blonde hair flowing with the breeze, wearing a gray hoodie and jeans, it had to be...
"Malachi?" I said, unsure.
He turned, a somber expression on his face, "Oh, um...hello, Matt."
I stepped closer until we were side by side, the lake right in front of us, rippling and reflecting the slowly sinking sun.
"How long have you been here?" I asked after a moment of silence.
"Just got here." He replied, "Talon's here too. We just returned from Mount Olympus."
"So, that's good news! They didn't...you know..." I meant to say, decide to kill you! But that would be awkward.
He said it for me, "Decide to kill us? No, they did not."
"Well, what happened?"
He sighed, his eyes fixed on the water, "A lot of arguing, a lot of judging, a lot of blaming, and a lot of fighting."
"Sounds about right." I said lowly.
"After that, they decided to talk for real. Saying that Talon and I were dangerous, and needed to be watched by the gods at all times."
"What does that mean?"
"It means us, being on Mount Olympus, or in the presence of a god, constantly."
"But that's...insane!"
"I don't know. But that wasn't the decision they went with. After some more discussion, they finally decided the next best supervisor would be Chiron and Dionysus...here at Camp Half Blood."
It took dumb old me to put the pieces together for a second, then it hit me.
"So...you guys are staying at Camp Half Blood?"
He nodded indifferently.
"That's...that's awesome!" I said, but still unsure. What if more monsters and stronger beings attacked the camp now that Malachi and Talon were here?
What the hell am I saying, Ouranos is gone! If any baddies show up, we'll defeat them.
"I'm not sure it is, Matt. I...think it is the best choice, but I just don't know."
"Why?"
"I...have done horrible things. I killed people, I hurt people, I nearly destroyed the planet."
I turned to him, "Hey, that wasn't you. That was Ouranos and Typhon. They forced you to do it."
He didn't look positive, "Yes, but I was weak. I should have resisted in the first place. Never allowed myself to be used as a test subject."
I said nothing, not sure of the words to use.
He continued, his face grim, "I couldn't protect my friends, I couldn't protect Sera. I...couldn't even protect myself."
Poor guy. He had been through a lot really. Born just to be a Primordial's killing machine, only to find a little peace and happiness on a Island meant for slaves, then being forced to host the vessel of the most dangerous monster in existence. Malachi had to be done with it all.
I put a hand on his shoulder, "Hey man, you can't dwell on the past, on things that weren't even your fault. You gotta focus on what you have now. Like..."
"Sera...and Talon." He muttered.
I nodded, "There you go."
He smiled slightly, it was genuine, and new to his face for me.
"I am sorry about what happened on this quest. I...hope we can be friends." He held out his hand.
I smiled. He and I weren't so different, I could feel a friendship forming. I shook it, "I would like that." I said. Then joked, "But only if you spar with me every now and then."
He laughed, "Deal. But only if you don't cut my toe off."
I was surprised, but ended up snickering. Malachi Stallard had cracked a joke. Oh, we were gonna be best buds after all.
Shortly after the conversation with Malachi, in which he told me he would be staying in the Zeus cabin along with Talon, we parted ways, and I glanced at the horizon through the trees yet again. The sun faintly spreading orange and a hint of red, but not enough to be called a sunset yet. Give it about ten more minutes.
Ten more minutes, and everything would change.
I couldn't wait.
I decided to spend that ten minutes like I originally planned, by going in the training arena. I walked into it and found another figure in there. To my unsurprise, it was Aiden. He was swinging his celestial bronze blade with speed and good skill, not sweating, just doing some light practice.
I walked a few steps forward, just standing there and watching him. He had good form from what I could assess. He trained a lot, and had heart, he wanted to be strong, to prove himself. In my eyes, he had. He defended the camp from a Laestrygonian.
"You're pretty good, man." I called.
He yelped and tripped over himself in surprise. I winced, probably should have said it lower.
He got up quickly and dusted himself off, his face a little red.
"Uh, hey man, what's up?" He tried to say coolly.
I chuckled, "Nothing, figured I'd come in here and swing around my new weapon."
"You have a new weapon?"
I nodded, equipping Viribus, the thick club emerging in my hand, it's dark gray wood blending with the structure of the arena.
Aiden's eyes widened, "Cool!"
I showed him the lightning thing, and told him about it's healing feature, to which he lit up and nodded profusely.
"That's so dope, man!"
"I know. Wanna spar?"
He got nervous, "W-with you? I mean, I'll get destroyed."
"Oh come on. I'll take it easy, and you're better than you think."
He nodded nervously and brought up his sword, ready to go. We sparred for a few minutes, nothing major, just me getting the feel of Viribus, and boy was I getting the feel of it.
It was like I had been using the wrong weapon my whole life. I mean, I loved the shark tooth spear, but this...was amazing. I was catching on so fast, getting better with each strike, It was like magic. I didn't use any super strength, and Aiden wasn't going all out either, we were just messing around really, parrying and blocking several times.
After a few minutes we stopped, getting some sips from the water fountain. He sheathed his sword and I morphed Viribus back into it's necklace form.
A minute passed, then he finally muttered, "Thanks Matt."
"Sorry?"
"I said thanks."
"For what?"
"For taking care of my sister."
"Oh. Um, yeah, it was...no trouble man."
His face darkened, "Her brother...did she find him?"
I felt my stomach sink. I told him what happened quickly and to the point. The true identity of Levi, what he had done, and how he had betrayed Harper.
Once I was done, Aiden processed what I had said. He stayed silent for so long that I thought he hadn't heard everything, and was waiting for me to repeat something. I was about to, when he gritted his teeth and kicked a training dummy, knocking it in recoil.
"That bastard! How dare he do that to her!" He said angrily.
I said nothing.
Aiden seethed, "After everything she's been through, and he just does that?! He works with the enemy?!"
"I know man, it's awful-"
"Damn right it is! Oh gods, I can't imagine what she's going through..."
I couldn't either. Finding out her brother was her father's killer, and working for Ouranos for years, then watching him die in the same day...she had to be suffering intensely.
Aiden clenched his fists, and looked at me firmly, "I'm going to be better than he was. I will never let her down like that."
"I know you won't." I said.
"I will never hurt her! Levi doesn't know how special she is!"
Special.
Special.
Yes, she was...special.
Suddenly they came to me, all at once, like a strong gust of wind, the words that I was going to say to her on the beach filled my brain at Aiden's words.
"Aiden...I gotta go..." It should be time...the sun was setting.
I was stopped by him grabbing my shoulders.
"Matt, I know you guys like each other. And that's great, but just assure me something." He was looking intensely at me.
"Anything." I said, not sure what he was getting at.
"Promise me you won't let her down like Levi did."
"Aiden, I-"
"Promise me! She really likes you! And if you left or if something happened, she would be devastated! Just let me know that you will never hurt her!"
I was stunned, he was dead serious. Like an overprotective brother. Completely justified, due to her having such a tragic past.
I knew I would make the most of it...the most of her. I would never do anything to hurt her.
"I promise." I said, not blinking.
He nodded, then let go of my shoulders.
"Sorry about that, I just-"
"I understand man." I said, and he grinned a little.
He was loyal and brave. Quite a hero he would make one day, I didn't doubt it.
I left the arena and looked through the trees of Camp, the sun finally setting, a red and orange could be seen vaguely from here.
It was time.
I returned to my cabin to look in the mirror of my bathroom. Yeah, I had a personal bathroom, which was awesome. I needed to make sure I didn't look disgusting, I wanted this to be perfect.
I walked into my cabin, the Lion head seemingly encouraging me. When I got inside, I immediately went to the bathroom. It was nothing special, just like any you would see at a summer camp, only this was very clean, on the account of it being brand new.
I sprayed some breath mint in my mouth and brushed my teeth for good measure, blowing into my hand and smelling the fresh result, it was good to go. I looked at myself. My hair looked good, face not too shabby, clothes good, I nodded to myself, ready to do this, finally.
I walked out of the bathroom, confidence flowing through me like the power of the red aura. That all went away though the moment I noticed a note on my bed.
I went up to it and focused on the words, and to my surprise I could read it good, only because it was a short, simple note.
Meet me at the beach - H
All of my confidence disappeared and got replaced by nervousness and a rush of adrenaline. She had been in my cabin? Left me a note? Oh gods, she was waiting for me on the beach, wasn't she?
My heart started beating faster. I couldn't take the suspense, I needed to get moving, both to quench this nervousness, and to see the sunset before it goes below the horizon.
I booked it from my cabin and after a minute, found the pathway to the beach below Camp. I ran along the sandy path until finally coming upon a gorgeous opening met with a wide plain of sand and a glimmering sea, the glorious sunset behind it, lowering on the horizon.
I stopped myself, and looked to the left a little. Waiting by the shore, was an equally incredible sight. Harper was standing there, the wind blowing her raven black hair, she wore a black tee and jean shorts, revealing her slim but curvy pale legs. She was barefoot, her black toenails contrasting with the near white sand.
I nearly lost breath at how incredible she looked. I couldn't fathom even being near her, let alone kissing her. My body would literally melt to the ground.
I pinched my wrist, I needed to do this, I wanted this.
Here goes nothing.
I walked toward her, drinking in all of her...perfection. She noticed me and smiled, her eyes against the sunlight, the white orb reflecting it's light and the icy blue right one giving a perfect mixture with the red glow of the setting sun.
I finally got within five feet from her, and she held her hand out for me to hold.
"Walk with me?" She said.
I nodded, gently grabbing her hand. I felt like I was in paradise as we walked hand in hand together along the beach. We said nothing, we simply enjoyed this moment, the feeling of her soft hand in my rough one was a feeling I will never forget.
After about a hundred feet, I spotted a large towel laying parellel to the sunset on the sand. It was black, and wide enough for two...
"A towel out here on the beach? Now I wonder who put that there?" I teased.
She shrugged, trying to convey surprise. "I have no idea, but it would be a shame to let it go to waste, now wouldn't it?" She looked up at me with a smirk, and I blushed.
"I agree." I said as smoothly as I could, trying not to appear too nervous.
We sat down next to each other, staring at the sunset together. I sighed, finally able to see one after what feels like forever. It was truly a sight worthy of the gods, lines of red streaked across the sky and outlined the clouds like a glow, the orange ball spreading it's slight warmth for just a little longer, but the breeze ignored it, lightly playing with our hair and clothes, it felt perfect.
I turned and looked at the girl next to me, her face, her features...I could look at them all day.
She held back a smile, not looking away from the sunset. "You're staring, Shark Boy."
The words left me before I could stop them, "Well, I like what I see."
Her ears got a little red, but she remained composed, "Oh? Is that so? Do I feel a little speech coming on?"
"Do you want a speech?"
She shook her head slightly, "I just want to know how you feel. For real this time, Matt."
I turned fully so I was facing her. She noticed and turned too, we were now sitting across from each other on the towel, not two feet of distance between us.
I stayed silent for a moment, just gazing into her eyes, I could get lost in them. I finally knew what to say, the right words, they had come to me, and it was time to say them, the moment of truth.
"Harper...from the very moment we met, I knew you were special." I took her hands in mine gently, "Despite everything that's happened, I'm glad we went on this quest...and became friends. It...allowed me to see just how special you are."
She smiled, her eyes soft and full of passion, I nearly lost my resolve at the sight, but kept going.
"You're beautiful, kind, smart, brave, and well, a million other things that make my heart go insane." She laughed at me throwing her words back at her, and held my hands a little tighter.
I began to rub circles with my thumb on her smooth skin, "Everything about you I admire and adore. You're...perfect, Harper. Honestly, that's what I think. And even things that people would see as imperfect, I'd say otherwise." I said that as I gestured to her left eye, gently tucking a strand of hair next to it behind her face with my hand.
"I want this to be a thing. I want to be with you, and learn even more about you, I want to face any challenges ahead...together." I smiled sincerely, the waves calmly crashing over my words, and her face was that of joy, eyes watery and the smile genuine.
We sat there for a few moments, her taking on what I said, her smile never leaving her.
After a while, she said, "You really mean that?" Almost sheepishly, but she knew the truth.
"Of course." I didn't hesitate.
"Well...I want that too. And I'm not very good at relationships, but this...and with you...I want it. More than anything I've wanted in a long time."
I grinned, "Good."
She looked at me again, our eye locking resumed.
My heart was on a marathon, my face hot, no doubt blushing a storm. But it was okay, her cheeks were just as red.
"So...what now?" She asked.
"Only one thing." I said.
She laughed, "Right, can't forget about that."
I began to lean in, "You sure? No take backsies after this."
She leaned in too, her arms finding their way around my neck. With a whisper, she said, "Just shut up Shark Boy, and kiss me."
I obeyed, and at last, our lips met.
Our first real kiss will go down as my fondest memory.
When her soft lips made contact with mine, I melted right through my body. Every molecule seemed to heat up, the butterfly farm went nuts, my heart raced, my brain went on autopilot, but I didn't mess anything up, thank Olympus. This was amazing, it was better than anything I had ever experienced. The feel of our lips moving together for several seconds, occasionally parting for air, a smacking sound resulting from each part, only to go back for more, made us hungrier and hungrier for another kiss.
Soon her arms tightened around my neck and she pressed into me more, my own hands met her slim but firm waist, holding her gently, we kissed for what felt like hours, and I never wanted to stop, I was on Cloud Nine.
But sadly, we were in need of oxygen, and parted, breathing a little faster than normal, our faces blushing profusely. After a moment of awkward silence, the tension faded when our faces broke into grins.
Soon those grins became laughter, and we did, for a long time.
After I caught my breath, I looked around jokingly, "No interruptions? That's a first."
She sighed dramatically, "Thank the gods."
I let my face turn serious, and I cupped her cheek with my hand, she noticed my eyes and hers widened a little, her head leaning into my touch autonomously.
"There won't be any. From now on, because the war is over, Harper. I plan on us having a normal relationship, no crazy battles, no Primordials to fight, just us going on dates and living a somewhat normal life."
She smiled, and covered my hand on her cheek with her own, "I wouldn't have it any other way." Then her smile turned into a sly smirk, "Dates, huh? What did you have in mind?"
I shrugged, "Coney Island? I could win you one of those stuffed animals."
She groaned teasingly, "Ugh, I hate those plushies. I was thinking something along the lines of a rock concert."
I cringed a little, not actually against the idea, but I wanted to make it seem like I was, "Oh man, maybe this isn't such a good idea, my ears will fall off from those death metal screams."
She playfully punched my shoulder, "Shut up. It doesn't matter where we go, as long as its with you, I'm fine."
My ears heated and my chest got light at her words, but I wasn't backing down on the tease game yet, "Aw, that's precious Harper. Never took you for a romantic."
She put on a half hearted glare and playfully hit me again, but soon we began laughing together again, and her head found it's way on my shoulder, her side pressing into mine, we were now faced directly towards the sunset, I snaked my arm around her waist comfortably, this couldn't get any better.
"I feel the same way you know." I muttered.
"Hmm?" She hummed.
"As long as I'm with you, I don't care what happens."
She chuckled against my neck, I could feel the vibrations through my body, "Look at us. Talking cheesy and turning into another Percy and Annabeth."
I snickered, pulling her even closer to me, she snuggled and sighed with content.
And for the next few minutes, we sat in silence, pressed against each other, watching the red sun sink below the horizon, the calm waters soothingly wash over the shore, the clouds fading into night, but keeping their orange outline just long enough to admire.
I remember starting this saying that I didn't want to be a half-blood. I remember starting this saying a lot of things I feel different about now. Well, since the quest is done, since we all came back alive, and since I am now dating a beautiful girl with whom I feel completely at peace with, I can say that I have a new consensus on the demigod life.
Turns out, being a half-blood isn't so bad after all.
Boy oh boy, wouldn't that have been such a happy ending to all of this.
Sadly that night, everything I just said was proven wrong.
After the sun sank completely, and the orange day turned into a star filled night, I knew we would have to get back to Camp before curfew.
Harper and I had been out there for about an hour or more, at first just watching the sunset together, confessing our feelings and kissing a couple of times, it soon turned into us laying on the beach towel together and gazing at the stars.
After the sunset, we found ourselves laying on the sandy ground, the thin towel beneath us. The back of her head rested comfortable on my chest, my arm around her stomach, her hands gently nesting on my forearm. We both looked up at the stars for a while, just happy to be together, finally as a couple.
But soon, the thought came to me that we needed to get to bed or else the camp would freak out.
She had closed her eyes, and was now breathing in a soft pattern on my chest. She looked so cute, and I remembered that she was now my girlfriend, and my heart leaped, the butterflies flew everywhere in my stomach, it was still surreal.
I took my other hand and stroked her soft black hair, waking her up, but not in alarm, instead in a happy sigh.
I had to break the news to her. I wanted nothing more than to stay out here all night, holding each other, but Chiron probably wouldn't be too pleased with that.
"Harper, it's getting pretty late, we should go back to our cabins."
She groaned, "Five more minutes."
She was so cute right now. She had turned her head so it was now her face resting on my chest, her arms gripping my sides in a half hug. I blushed and nearly lost my resolve, but I knew we would get in trouble, so I had to get her up unfortunately.
"Harper, we gotta go to bed. The campers will be worried."
"Let em' worry."
I chuckled, "Don't get clingy now."
She breathed a laugh, my chest got hot from her breath, "Whatever, I wanna stay right here."
I sighed, laying my head back. I couldn't just pop up and get mad or anything, because I wasn't mad, I was thrilled that she wanted to stay out here with me. But damn, the camp rules don't lie. Not that I really care, but disappointment from Chiron wouldn't make me feel too good.
A thought came to me, a mischievous thought, one that would make her laugh, but also get her up at the same time.
I stopped my hand from stroking her hair and moved it to her side, the other following. Here goes nothing.
I began to assault her with tickles.
Something I've never done, but I knew how it worked. Turns out she had a sensitive stomach, because she immediately shot up and tried to pry my hands off, laughing against her will.
"S-Stop, you idiot!"
"You gonna go back to your cabin?"
She laughed uncontrollably, now out of amusement as well.
Finally she caved, "O-Okay, okay, I'll go!"
I stopped, and she panted, rubbing her sides.
She gave a half hearted glare at me, "If I had my knives I'd cut off those hands of yours."
"No you wouldn't. You liked it, admit it."
She blushed and looked at the ground, "Maybe a little, but don't do it again!"
I laughed, we both got up, taking the beach towel with us in a fold.
We walked back to our cabins as quiet as possible, it was getting late, and most people had turned in for the night. We snuck over to her cabin, because like a gentlemen, you walk a lady home...to her cabin.
We held back laughs like a couple of goofballs, giddy and whatnot at our new intimacy. When we made it to her cabin, we were surprised to find a figure waiting outside of the door, it was Aiden, and he was sharpening his sword.
He lowered his voice and said in a fatherly way. "You're late. Matt, I expect better from you. If your going to be her boyfriend you must abide by my rules, young man."
I chuckled, Harper shoved him lightly.
"Have you been waiting for us?"
He broke character, "Nah, just figured I'd mess with you, and see if you finally told each other how you felt."
We showed him our interlocked hands as proof, to which he nodded.
"Good. Now that my work is done, I shall slumber. Goodnight kids, don't get too carried away." He mockingly bowed, to which we shoved him inside the cabin jokingly.
After a second, Harper and I faced each other.
"So...guess I'll see you in the morning." I stopped, trying to think of what I wasn't doing right, I then added, "Am I supposed to call you babe now or something?"
She snickered, "Gods no, Shark Boy. I like Harper just fine."
I smiled, "Good, I can't pull off nicknames like you." We leaned in for another kiss, this one feeling just as exciting as the others, I was looking forward to more.
We pulled away, and she waved at me before going in her cabin, smiling, "Goodnight."
I waved back, "Goodnight." Staring at the now closed door, I realized how lucky I was. I couldn't wait until tomorrow.
Little did I know, things were about to change, and that would be the last time I saw her for a long, long time.
My smile never left my face until I got to my cabin, walking inside, I laid on my bed, chest all giddy at the new relationship. With the covers over me, and the night beautiful, I closed my eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep.
After a couple of hours it seemed, that dreamless sleep was interrupted by a knock on my door.
I wasn't a light sleeper, but whoever was outside was pretty much banging on my cabin. I sat up, clad in nothing but boxers. If it was Harper outside, I wasn't sure if I should scramble to get dressed or be casual about it now that we were a thing.
No idiot, get dressed.
I quickly threw on some clothes and held my lion necklace tight, just in case it wasn't Harper, and some kind of monster.
I got four feet from the door, and said, "Who's there?"
A deep, gruff voice replied, "Achilles. Now open the door."
Achilles? What the hell?
I opened the door and stepped back, prepared for the Stoll Twins playing a prank on me, but instead I felt utter shock at who it really was.
"Father?!" I exclaimed.
Standing outside of my doorway was my father, Hercules. He stood at seven feet tall, wearing an ancient Greek chiton made mostly of black fur, his left arm protruding from it, every muscle defined and large, making a bodybuilder look weak. He had on classic sandals, a large club hanging by his waist. His beard was neatly trimmed, hair medium length brown, his face hard and ruggedly handsome, I looked like him a little, only younger looking and not as buff.
I was taken aback to say the least, this was the first time meeting my father. I definitely wasn't going to hug him or anything, I just wanted to know why he was here.
"Wh-what are you doing here?"
"Ain't got much time, can I come in?" He asked, not really up for debate. I gestured, moving aside so he could fit his large frame in, technically his cabin.
He looked around, then stared at the life sized statue of him, nodding with a smirk, "Pretty accurate." He mumbled.
"Father, what's going on?"
He looked at me, and for the first time I felt his immense aura. That of a god's, but also that of a hero's. He knew the hardships that came along with it, he knew the struggle, he had faced thousands and rarely lost, he was the ultimate demigod, and now had immortal energy on top of that. It was humbling to be honest.
He stared at me for a second, studying me with intensity, then he smirked, "You really have gotten tougher."
"What?"
He stepped closer to where I was sitting at the edge of my bed, "When I spoke to you in that vision, you were barely using your latent power, but the rest of that quest...you really brought it out and improved quickly. Defeating an elder cyclops with ease, Cerberus, the Anthropophage, the Psari, fighting Ouranos and Typhon? I'm amazed at the crap you've done, and on your first quest!"
My heart picked up a little, was he actually...proud of me?
His next words proved it, "I just wanna say, Matt. I know I was tough on you in that vision, but you must understand that I meant well. You had so much hidden power, I was dying for you to use it. And you did! You've accomplished things any other demigod would crumble in attempt!" He put a large calloused hand on my shoulder, "I am proud of you, son. I know it may not seem like it, but I really am."
I smiled, this had to be the best day ever. Kissing Harper and becoming an item with her, then getting praise from my dad. I couldn't believe it.
"Thank you, father."
He nodded, taking the hand off, "But I didn't come all this way just to congratulate you. I came on...a far more serious matter."
My smile faded, what did he mean? Was something wrong? "Um, what is it?" I asked.
His face darkened, he looked around the room, then back at the door. Closing his eyes, giving me time to prepare for the bomb he was about to drop. I was waiting with anticipation, surely it couldn't be that bad, right?
After what felt like forever, he leaned in and said lowly, "Ouranos...is not dead."
I knit my eyebrows, not expecting that. "What do you mean? Yeah he is. I saw grandfather kill him."
Hercules shook his head, "Zeus didn't kill him, Matt. Ouranos won't go down that easy."
Now I was starting to worry, "No way. Zeus used his Master Bolt! He killed Ouranos, he sunk the Island, and took down Typhon!"
Hercules held up a hand. "Not so loud! we don't want your friends eavesdropping." He lowered it and got my attention, looking me directly in the eyes. "Matt, this information is secret. Nobody but the Olympians are aware of the threat, and now you. Ouranos is a Primordial, he won't be killed with a single strike. He was simply wounded, and will eventually return, stronger than before."
"B-but, what about Typhon?!"
"Not dead either. That avatar was just a projection of the monster's power, not the actual monster himself. Not taking away your feat, you did block a punch from Typhon, but it wasn't his actual body. No, that resides in an unknown location...most likely in a mountain or under the ocean."
I was completely stunned. He was telling me that everything we had gone through, everything we did on that Island, failed? We hadn't won?
How could I trust him? This was the first time I was even seeing him.
"You're lying." I said.
"I'm not, Matt. It's all true. This war is only just beginning."
"YOU'RE LYING!"
"I'm not! I've seen visions of it! Ouranos is weak, but still alive!"
"Why should I trust you?! You were never there! You let mom get hurt!" I was speaking with bitterness. The bitterness of a child.
He tightened his lips, "You know that I could not interfere. I was trapped on a fucking Island! You know that! Had I been free of my curse, I would have helped you more!"
"No you wouldn't! You would have just been like the rest! Never showing up at all! Just like what happened to Levi Pierce!" I was surprised at my words, bringing up the traitor. But it was true, he had been driven to malevolence by his absent mother.
"Matthias. I am nothing like Nemesis. I am-"
"THE STUPID ANCIENT LAWS! THEY WOULD HAVE KEPT YOU AWAY!"
He grabbed me by the shoulders hard, it surprised me, he had the grip of ten thousand men, strong and firm. "One thing you need to know about me, son. Is that I don't give a damn about those ancient laws. Which...is why I am here, to...offer you something."
I removed his hands from my shoulders. If he wanted to, he could've easily overpowered me, but he didn't. I backed away, suddenly interested, "What offer?"
"Training." He raised his hands in a gesture, "Matt, you have to believe me when I say this war is only just getting started. Ouranos has plans that could destroy this entire Universe. Plans of raising past foes, the Titans, the Giants, even beings from other pantheons! The only way to win, is if you get stronger! You can't rely on the red aura ability forever!"
"Training with you? Why? Its' pointless. This war is OVER!"
His gaze was very intimidating, "Enough with the denial, Matt. Deep down you know it to be true. The Grandfather of Zeus, would not die from a single strike. No, you feel it, you know that he is still out there, plotting his next move. We can stop it together! Let me teach you! Let me form you into a hero even more powerful than the gods!"
I grimaced, he was kind of right. I hated to admit it, but I did have a tiny feeling that Ouranos was still out there, and that things were just beginning. But I had just put that off as paranoia.
"I'm not going. I have no reason to."
He growled and stepped toward me, "Fine then! I shall prove it to you!" He grabbed my head, and I was suddenly seeing all white, feeling like I was weightless, like a feather.
Soon the brightness dimmed and I saw a horrifying sight. I was in the clouds, above what looked like the sea, and in front of me about five hundred feet away, was the familiar form of Ouranos.
The gray clouds were shaped like a bearded skull, lightning danced dangerously inside of it's eyes, wind surging from the form. It's aura was gaining strength by the second, like it was...healing. I heard a booming maniacal laugh echo across the sky, Ouranos' laugh.
He looked down, and suddenly, a large hand formed, like it was his hand. He cupped it in front of his misty beard and smaller clouds began to shape into something on his palm. After a moment, the clouds formed like a clay sculpture. It was a buff figure, carrying an axe like weapon and wearing light armor, with ram horns on his head.
Ouranos chuckled, and whispered something to the form, it faded soon after.
Within the next few minutes, another form shaped in his palm. I didn't recognize it. It was a beefy figure, seemingly misshapen or deformed. Whatever it was had a flaming beard and a hammer. He whispered to it too, and it soon faded with the wind.
Yet again, not one minute after that, the clouds in his palm swirled again. This time forming two figures. They looked to be a little taller than me, more muscular too. They wore strange looking armor, and carried long, thick swords. They had Viking like hairstyles and odd tattoos, like they were...from another world. Just looking at them made me feel off, the way they just stood there, the feeling I got, and the lightning that crackled in their cloudy hands...I got a strange feeling that it wasn't Ouranos that generated that electricity.
These figures didn't give off any facial features or anything, but just looking at them gave me a chill, especially the lightning. For some really weird reason, I felt like they were aliens, and knew for sure that they were not greek. No, they...belonged to another.
I shook it off, and watched Ouranos whisper to them, and they soon faded.
And yet again, more clouds swirled, this time instead of two, they formed three figures. Large monster like things. I could see they each only had one eye. So they were cyclops, only...different. I couldn't put my finger on it, but they seemed way, way, way stronger than your average one eyed baddie.
Ouranos whispered to them just like all the rest, only a little longer, but like the others, they faded too.
I sat there a few more moments, listening to the sound of Ouranos laugh malevolently.
Within an instant, I was brought back to my bed. My vision a little fuzzy, but soon readjusting to my father before me.
"Believe me now?" He said, an eyebrow raised.
I breathed in and out, processing what I had saw. It...couldn't be real, I didn't want it to be.
"It's real, son. I hate it, but it's real."
I looked up at him in confusion, "Father, who...were those figures?"
"Not people we like. The Titan Krios was the ram headed one, the flaming beard guy was Hephaestus, and the three cyclops were Steropes, Arges, and Brontes. The original of the species, and the strongest. Even stronger than most gods, they are."
I nodded, noting that he had left one out. "What about those two weird looking men?"
His face darkened, "That one...I don't know. But those tattoos, that hairstyle, and the lightning...not good."
"Sons of Zeus?"
He shook his head, the tension in the room multiplying ten fold, like an outside force bending the air.
"No...not his children. But...another, if I am correct."
"Another? Like Ouranos? Malachi's brothers?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"It doesn't matter at the moment. If Ouranos is using them, they are strong. You've seen it, now you know it's true. This war is only just starting, and we need all the strength we can muster."
I was conflicted now. Not in denial, but extremely, extremely conflicted.
Harper.
Oh gods, this was not good.
"Training?" I asked, unsure.
He nodded, "If you accept, you will come with me back to my Island, where I will teach you how to control your rage, master the red aura, and unlock strength greater than the Olympians. Techniques in battle lost to modern heroes, only the greatest of combinations, and...how to use that new club of yours properly." He pointed at my necklace.
I felt it with my finger.
"The Adam Tree is very ancient. Even older than the Titans and Olympians. It's wood has special properties, and is very durable. If used correctly, you can defeat anything. And yes, I mean anything."
"Anything?"
He got down to my level, his face dead serious. "Anything."
I suddenly felt my necklace get heavier. Was Viribus that strong? I mean yeah, it gave me lightning and regeneration, but what else could it give me?
"How long would It take?"
"Two months. And after that, you can return."
Two months? Oh gods, that was pretty long.
Harper.
I felt my stomach drop to the floor. I was so conflicted it hurt. I had just gained the thing I wanted most, and that was her. But now...I could gain the power to end this war. It was truly the hardest decision I've ever made.
"Father, I...have a girlfriend now. I...don't know If I can leave her. Or this place, I mean, I've finally found somewhere I belong."
He shook his head, "This is the world's fate we're talking about. If you don't become stronger, there won't be a girlfriend for you. Besides, it's only two months. She'll see you again." I heard a loud cawing noise outside, like a giant eagle. Wait a second, it really sounded like an eagle.
Hercules looked behind him urgently, "Son, I need you to make a decision now. I can't stay off my Island forever, and Kyros is getting impatient!"
I fought with myself a dozen times, this was insanely hard. Just when I thought I had peace, I was proven wrong.
Harper.
Strength.
Harper.
Strength.
Harper.
The...fate of the world.
Her life.
The power to end it.
The power to defeat...anything.
I felt so awful and guilty. But I knew it was the only way to get stronger, I had to go with my father.
I got up from the bed, "Okay, I'll train with you."
He grinned and nodded, "Good. Let's go then. Kyros is outside." He began out the door, I followed behind.
When we exited, I was greeted with the biggest eagle I had ever seen. It was larger than the Cretan Bull. It's feathers thick and elegant, it's eyes sharp and intense, it's beak near golden and long. Was this the eagle in my vision? How did it get so big?
"Kyros has a few special abilities. He was a gift from my father after I accepted godhood. He was my only company on the Island. I guess you could call him my pet."
I stroked Kyros' back, in awe at the great creature.
I looked back at Camp, toward the Nemesis cabin.
"Can I say goodbye to her?" I asked.
"No can do. We need to get going." He hopped on Kyros' back, the eagle very strong, not even budging at my father's weight.
I needed to see her one last time before I left. I wasn't taking no for an answer. Hercules would have to get used to it.
"I am saying goodbye to her. Two months father. You can at least give me this."
He pursed his lips, and started to say something, but decided against it.
He sighed, "Fine. You have two minutes. Make it quick."
I nearly tripped over myself as I ran to her cabin quietly, trying to be as subtle as possible.
I finally stopped in front of the black building, opening the door a few inches, peeking inside. I saw a few figures in their bunk beds, asleep. I spotted Harper at the back, in her pajamas, peacefully asleep.
I winced. She was fast asleep, I couldn't wake her up. But I wanted to look at her before I left. So I walked in, and tip toed to her bed. Leaning over it, I decided not to wake her. That would be bad. If I did, she would convince me to stay, and I knew that would be the wrong thing.
So instead, I lowered my head to her temple, and kissed it lightly. Her face formed a small smile. I had to look away, the sight nearly made me forget about my father outside and want to snuggle up next to her.
I looked at her one last time through the doorway.
"I'm going away for a little while, but I'll be back. And when I return, we'll be together." I muttered, to myself more than her.
I closed the door quietly and made my way back to my father.
He looked at me, "Are you ready? There's no turning back after this."
I inhaled the night air, and exhaled it, preparing for a new life...a new me.
"I'm ready."
He nodded, and I straddled Kyros behind my father. With a running start, we took off into the night, Kyros' wide wings beside of us, the wind flowing through them, the eagle's speed perfect and calculated.
I promised myself, no matter what happened, I would come back to her, I would see her again.
I would become stronger.
I would truly become the Son of Hercules.
I would defeat Ouranos once and for all.
With those vows, I focused on the long, dark horizon ahead of us, the stars bright, the wind flowing against my body. I thought about what would come next, I thought about the upcoming battles, I thought about the figures Ouranos had whispered to. But most importantly, I thought about my father's words, and at that moment, I knew he was right.
This was only the beginning.
(End of Book One: The Son of Hercules)